An allergic condition, expressed in the most acute manifestations, is Quincke's edema. The reasons for its occurrence may be different. This condition is characterized by severe edema of the skin and mucous membranes. Less commonly, it can manifest itself in joints, meninges, and internal organs. Usually this symptom is observed in people who are prone to allergies.
Features of the development of the symptom
Why do we say that Quincke's edema, the causes of which lie in allergies, is a symptom? Everything is simple. It is caused precisely by a painful reaction of the body to any allergen. To understand how to help the patient, you should consider the mechanisms of development of symptoms. Quincke's edema causes the following categories:
- Plant and household factors in the form of pollen, dust, fluff and so on.
- Certain foods.
- Pharmaceutical factor - an allergy to any drug or substance included in it.
- The chemical factor is hair dyes, household chemicals, cosmetics, building materials and so on.
An allergic reaction is divided into two varieties - immediate and delayed. Quincke's edema, the causes of which we examined, is precisely an immediate reaction of the body to an irritant (allergen). Moreover, this is an extremely dangerous form of the manifestation of the disease. An allergen, getting into the body, makes it produce a huge amount of histamine, which is inactive in a normal situation. He begins to quickly activate, released, turning into a pathological condition. At the same time, puffiness begins, immediately followed by a thickening of the blood, which leads to this symptomatology.
It is worth knowing that allergy sufferers who have diseases of the endocrine system, other internal organs, viral and parasitic forms of infections are at risk. Their medical history often includes Quincke's edema. Now it’s worth considering the various types of these symptoms that may appear even in people who are not prone to allergies.
Types of Quincke edema
The first type is allergic, which is caused by allergens of one kind or another. It always manifests itself as a special specific response from the body. Most often, it manifests itself due to food allergies.
Non-allergic, or Quincke pseudo-edema is manifested in those who have an innate tendency.
When an allergen enters the body, it activates proteins, which are designed to eliminate the stimulus of the protective mechanism, producing
humoral regulation. Any violation in the work of complement leads to the fact that an extensive allergic reaction occurs and develops.
With a non-allergic form, puffiness refers to the skin, mucous membranes, stomach and intestines. The most aggravated forms of this symptom appear when a person experiences temperature changes, injuries or stressful situations.
But a third of cases cannot be explained even by world-famous experts. For such situations, food and drug allergies, insect bites, blood flow diseases, autoimmune diseases are likely.
It is also worth noting the different types of Quincke edema, which characterize and share the course of processes in the body. It is acute (up to 1.5 months), chronic (from six weeks), acquired, hereditary, limited and the form, accompanied by urticaria.
Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction
This response of the body to the allergen is manifested by severe swelling of the skin, in which the integuments become very pale. Most often, swelling of the facial cover, feet, back surfaces of the hands occurs. No pain. Swelling of the skin is very dense, when pressed, it does not form a fossa familiar to normal skin. Urticaria with characteristic itching and red spots may appear.
But the main danger lies in the swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which can simply close. A person dies from asphyxiation, that is, he simply suffocates. Swelling of the larynx, pharynx, trachea is extremely dangerous and manifests itself in shortness of breath, anxiety, barking cough, hoarse voice, blue skin, followed by blanching. The last stage is loss of consciousness from a lack of oxygen. It is easy to determine such edema by swelling of the sky, narrowing of the pharynx.
Swelling of the internal organs manifests itself in severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting, tingling of the tongue and palate. Moreover, in such cases, external swelling may not be observed. Swelling of the membranes of the brain is manifested by lethargy, lethargy, the inability to touch the chin to the chest when tilting the head, nausea, cramps. Edema with different localization is manifested by inhibition or excitability, joint pain, fever.
How to quickly remove Quincke's edema
Firstly, regardless of the patient’s condition, it is necessary to call a doctor, since the disease can develop for more than one hour. Secondly, isolate the victim from the allergen. If an insect has bitten, get a sting; if the problem is caused by medicines, food, or drink, do not let them eat. Reassure the patient, as emotional stress leads to a rapid deterioration of the condition. Fresh air is needed. From the victim remove a tie, belt, corset, loosen the collar. It is necessary to open the window. To maximize swelling, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
If the patient was bitten by an insect or there was an injection, a tourniquet should be applied to reduce the intake of allergen into the body. It is necessary to remove the allergen from the human body with the help of drinking - water at room temperature in large quantities is suitable. It is also necessary to give the patient a sorbent, antihistamine, instill vasoconstrictor drops in the nose. If severe asphyxia with inability to breathe is observed, tracheal intubation should be done . Further treatment is for the doctors.